Rating: 
Summary: SEDUCTIVE
Review: "It began with shared silences, it grew in shared laughter, it drew on its own strength..." describes not only Ranney's seduction of the reader but also the seduction of Jered (silly man thinks he's doing the seducing). The story begins with a seduction of the reader's senses, then builds, and feeds on itself until the final six words brings the title to its completion. Typical of Ranney's writing style, every word, every image, every page delivers description that feels like silk in a breeze. Tessa is quirky and clever. Jered is virile and tainted. Sensual seduction begins in the prologue. Sexual seduction begins in chapter 1...and doesn't miss a beat or an opportunity to the last page. The picture on the back cover is the first time I have ever thought the models actually resembled a book's characters in appearance, pose, and expression. Be seduced...
Rating: 
Summary: Awful, awful! Save your money.
Review: As an avid romance reader, I've never been so disgusted with the hero that I needed to quit reading. Use this book as kindling. Enough said.
Rating:
Summary: GARBAGE!!!!!!!!
Review: I CAN'T BELIEVE A 20TH CENTURY WRITER WROTE THIS BOOK. I THINK WHEN HISTORICAL ROMANCE WRITERS WRITE THEY SHOULD BE UNIQUE IN THE WAY WOMEN WHERE TREATED AND EXPECTED TO BEHAVE DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME. THIS BOOK BELITTLED TESS. INSTEAD OF HAVING HER FEET PLANTED ON THE GROUND ALL SHE WAS DOING WAS FOLLOWING HER TWO TIMING HUSBAND WHO DIDN'T DESERVE HER LOVE. SHE SHOULD LOOK AT GARWOOD'S, KANE'S AND QUICK'S WRITING. I JUST READ TILL CHAPTER 3 AND AND PUT IT DOWN. DON'T BUY OR READ THIS BOOK, IS NOT WORTH IT ESPECIALLY IF YOU KNOW A WOMAN DOESN'T HAVE TO ACT LIKE A DOG AFTER IT'S MASTER.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderfully Wicked!!
Review: I enjoyed this book imensley. Jered, maybe childish and given to being cruel to Tessa, but it did not detract from the overall story. The novel was well worth the time to read it. Jered is deffanatly not for the reader who wishes her hero to be kind hearted and heroic. In fact Jered goes many times in the opposite direction. But Karen Ranney goes about explaining the reason for his cruelties and his childish behavior. Jered does grow up in the end and Tesse becomes a little less starry eyed. Wonderful book!!
Rating:
Summary: Introspective
Review: I have enjoyed all of this authors books. The beginning of this book seemed predictable and slow, but soon built up steam until I couldn't put it down. It was so full of surprises and unexpected humor, I found myselt gasping with laughter. I did not like Jared very much but he was trying so hard to be unlikeable and I understood him much better at the end of the book. The imagination of this author really fascinates me. The church yard scene was so real and unusual. I really enjoyed Tessa's introspections. And Tessa's mother is a jewel.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Read
Review: I have to admit, I stayed up late reading this book. For me the author pushed the envelope of a bad-boy hero, but I found the characterization so fabulously done, that I rooted for the heroine even as I booed the hero. Terrific Job, Karen. You have my nomination for RWA's favorite book of the year.
Rating:
Summary: Wanted to like this book but...
Review: I like Rake's. I don't mind bad boy behavior but Jered was a bore and over the top in his poor behavior and as for our heroine, Tessa - get some self-esteem!!! It is all well that she wanted to be his friend, wanted sex, he was gorgeous, but to be constantly made aware of his poor behavior (kissing his mistress in front of her) well, get a grip girl. He deserved to be spanked for such boorish behavior. This was not romantic, just a story of a world weary man taking advantage of a young girl. If only Ms. RAnney had given Tessa some backbone, like her mother. Also, the Jered showed such disrespect for his in-laws too that there was really nothing to like about him.
Rating:
Summary: Wanted to like this book but...
Review: I like Rake's. I don't mind bad boy behavior but Jered was a bore and over the top in his poor behavior and as for our heroine, Tessa - get some self-esteem!!! It is all well that she wanted to be his friend, wanted sex, he was gorgeous, but to be constantly made aware of his poor behavior (kissing his mistress in front of her) well, get a grip girl. He deserved to be spanked for such boorish behavior. This was not romantic, just a story of a world weary man taking advantage of a young girl. If only Ms. RAnney had given Tessa some backbone, like her mother. Also, the Jered showed such disrespect for his in-laws too that there was really nothing to like about him.
Rating: 
Summary: A fast-paced romp....pick it up if you can
Review: I loved our heroine, Tessa, and would give her the Congressional Medal of Honor for putting up with our hero, Jered. Now don't get me wrong, I kind of liked Jered in a warped sort of way, who wouldn't want to reform a rake like that? His nonchalant and depraved attitude towards life, leads to some very interesting sexual scenes. I really did want to hate Jered after all he did, but I suppose even the worst of us are redeemable. His struggle with himself, and the philisophical discussions he engages in with his uncle are enlightening to read. Truly, the love of a good woman changed this seemingly hopeless specimen. Tessa has a great support system in her family,(whew! 6 brothers!!!) and though Jered could have had similar support, he turned from his family when struck with tragedy. This is one of the instances where I found the story ran flat. We never have any sort of reconciliation with Jered and his sister or his mother's family. He was reaching out towards that at one point in the story, but it was never resumed. I also thought there was a bit too much attempt at using literary license. The scene changes (between chapters) were very abrupt and sometimes uncomfortable. I don't need everyhting spelled out for me, but there are times when emotions are peaking, then the next thing you know, a week is past. It takes some getting used to where you are supposed to be in the story.
Rating:
Summary: Awful, awful! Save your money.
Review: I must admit that I hated the hero and had a difficult time trying to find some redeeming qualities. The further I read, the more intrigued I became until I finally realized that I had become very emotionally involved with Tess & Jared. I say good job to the author that she was able to draw me into the story and feel things, anger, disgust and finally joy and relief. Also, this is a story that I remember and have compared to other stories that I have read. That too says that the author has done a good job in telling a memorable story. Other books by Karen Ranney that I would recommend are "After The Kiss," "My Beloved" & "My True Love."
|
